Work

Forensic Epidemiology: Bridging Public Health and Legal Investigations to Address Modern Challenges

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Forensic epidemiology (FE) is a multi‐disciplinary field that applies epidemiologic principles and methods to collate and analyze trends and associations among medical and scientific examinations of adverse health outcomes with criminal or other legal implications. FE has been applied to a range of issues including bioterrorism, mass casualty events, and occupational hazards to inform public health and legal responses. This review explores the historical evolution, primary methodologies, and most common contemporary applications of FE, emphasizing the contribution of forensic medicine and science to public health and safety. Key methods such as descriptive and analytical epidemiology, biostatistical analyses, and field investigations are discussed, highlighting their application in bioterrorism responses, toxicological investigations, death inquiries, and public health policy development. The review underscores the strengths of FE, including its objective, evidence‐based framework and multi‐disciplinary collaboration, while addressing challenges like data limitations, ethical considerations, and the complexity of demonstrating causation in legal contexts. By applying epidemiologic principles and methods to analyze the findings from forensic investigations, FE not only supports the resolution of individual health‐related legal disputes but also has applications at the population level for public health interventions. These findings demonstrate the growing importance of FE as a vital tool in addressing the complexities of modern forensic and public health challenges.

Source: Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Forensic Science

DOI: 10.1002/wfs2.70003

Authors: J. L. Schumann, M. B. K. M. Hlela, S. Oliverio, L. Bugeja

Institutions: Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Western Cape Department of Health, University of Cape Town, Laboratoire National de Santé

Language: English

Topic: Historical and Scientific Studies

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,460